<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains financial information extracted from the company's SEC
form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 1995 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1995
<CASH>                                           14356
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   380418
<ALLOWANCES>                                      7934
<INVENTORY>                                     683444
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1109196
<PP&E>                                          944407
<DEPRECIATION>                                  437252
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1946461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           490494
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         59835
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      813407
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1946461
<SALES>                                        1993811
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1993811
<CGS>                                          1418944
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1418944
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                396180
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               16668
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 162019
<INCOME-TAX>                                     53466
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             108553
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    108553
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.83